Roommate Survival Tactics At Pacific University

Roomies …..

In the Beginning
Leaving home for college is a big event, and moving into a Residence Hall and meeting a new roommate (or even rooming with an old friend) is one of the most stressful and challenging (but fantastically rewarding) aspects of the college experience.

The information below is intended to help you make the most of your new living environment. It will suggest strategies for success and identify some common pitfalls.

What About Me?


Being aware of your own quirks, habits, and expectations will help you better understand where your roommate is coming from, and will help you communicate your needs, desires, and fears to your new roommate. Keep in mind that no two people are exactly alike; your roommate1s needs and desires are not likely to be exactly the same as yours. The following tools can help you succeed in the brave new world of roommate relations:

Flexibility, Respect, Sensitivity, Honesty,
Communication, Respect for Difference

Negotiation and Compromise


Living in a confined space with another human being requires flexibility and cooperation. In order to be successful as a roommate, it is highly recommended that you get used to the idea of compromise. Many decisions (for example, the issue of when and how to clean the room) will require the consent and participation of both residents.

Details, Details..


Believe it or not, it is often the seemingly obvious things that end up being sources of contention between roommates. Talking about these issues on the front end can often end up preventing hurt feelings and nasty confrontations down the road.
Guests: Are overnight guests acceptable? What happens if one roommate1s guests infringe on the other1s study time? Are both roommates1 boundaries respected?
Cleanliness: How clean should the room be? Who is responsible for what chores and how often should they be done? What if one of us is a neat freak and the her is a slob?
Schedule: What if I am an early riser and my roommate is a Night Owl?
Sharing Possessions: What things in the room are to be shared and what is considered private?

Communication!


Although some roommate conflicts are truly irresolvable, the vast majority are the result of miscommunication or an outright lack of communication. With healthy communication most conflicts can be resolved long before the relationship becomes irreconcilable. The ability to communicate effectively is the most important and powerful tool that you can develop in your quest to create the perfect living environment. Here are some strategies to help you and your roommate foster healthy dialogue:

Steps to Success


First of all, remember that a third person perspective can make all of the difference in the world when it comes to conflict resolution. Consider consulting your RA, your RD, or the counseling center to discuss the problem and identify strategies for a positive solution.

Healthy communication is key: Believe it or not, it is quite likely that your roommate is just as exasperated with you as you are with her. Part of being an effective communicator is knowing how to listen and accept constructive feedback. If your roommate criticizes you, it is a natural response to criticize her right back. Instead, it might be a good idea to simply accept the criticism and give yourself a few days to digest your roommate's comment. This time of reflection will help give you the ability to understand your roommate's perspective and will allow you to frame your response to the feedback in a lucid and persuasive manner.

Put those composition skills to use: In short, write things down! Many people are able to communicate more clearly and honestly in writing than in conversation. If you and your roommate are having a difficult time, writing could be an alternative to a knock-down, drag-out fight. Try sitting down with your roommate for and writing letters to each other. A day or so later, after you have had time to think about it, you and your roommate can get together to talk about the letters.

Adapt: It is crucial to realize that no roommate arrangement will ever be absolutely ideal. The ability to compromise is a key skill in any community living environment. Remember, for any solution to be effective, both you and your roommate must be happy, so compromise will usually be necessary. Be realistic in your expectations. It is probably not fair to demand that your roommate never have guests in the room‹likewise, it would not be fair for your roommate to insist that twenty of his closest friends be allowed to come over every night for pizza and dancing.

All we need is just a little patience: Living with another person is hard work. You may think that you and your roommate have solved every problem, just to have a new conflict flare up after a few weeks. Try not to lose hope. Anything as immensely complex and beautiful as a human relationship is bound to involve a tremendous amount of effort. Ultimately, that effort will pay off if the form of a challenging, satisfying, and enriching roommate experience.

You're Not Alone


Pacific University has a very talented and caring Residence Life Staff, all of whom have undergone training in mediation and conflict resolution. Moreover, nearly all of them have lived in a residence hall with a roommate at some point in their lives, so they are well equipped to offer an empathetic ear and informal advice. There is an RA on every floor of all three traditional Residence Halls on campus. They are there to help, so use them!

Contact Information

Associate Dean of Students
503-352-2120
Walter Hall Resident Director
503-352-2245
Clark Hall Resident Director
503-352-2243
McCormick Hall Resident Director
503-352-2239
VVC Resident Director
503-352-2710
Burlingham Resident Director
503-352-1448
Gilbert Resident Director
503-352-6774
Counseling Center 503-352-2191
Housing Office 503-352-2821